What are Superdelegates?

There has been a lot of traction in the news lately over the subject of superdelegates, also called "unpledged delegates." Specifically, there are some people who speculate that Hillary Clinton is using them, via her and Bill's influence, to widen the gap between herself and Bernie Sanders.

Indeed, as of this writing, Clinton has 1,243 delegates and Sanders is rather close behind with 975. When you add the superdelegates to the mix, Clinton leads Sanders by 1,712 to 1,004. Quite a difference, yes?

But who are these mysterious superdelgates? To begin with, only the Democrat party uses them, not the Republicans. They are totally unattached to the popular vote of the citizens as opposed to the distribution of regular delegates. The method of distribution of regular delegates is determined by each state; some are winner-take-all, others depend on a ratio.

On the other hand, the supers make up their own mind; they are bound by no one. Many people, with good reason, feel that this undermines the voting system by taking some critical power out of the hands of the common voters and giving it to special interests with absolutely no oversight.

Who are the Superdelegates?

This is where it gets scary. The supers are for the most part elected officials such as members of the House and Senate, Democratic governors, and the Vice President. Others to note are members of the Democratic National Committee.

Also included are “distinguished party leaders” like former Presidents, senators and House leaders. There are about 712 of them nationwide; potentially a sufficient number to swing the nomination--no matter the will of the people.

Oh, did we mention that the party named Bill Clinton a superdelegate? Now that's ethics taken to the next level.


One would have to be blind not to see the implication of political chicanery and backroom "sausage-making" to secure their loyalty to one side or the other. Would you like a comfy government job after the election?  How about an ambassador post? An invite to all state dinners would be nice, yes?

If you think the matter is trivial, consider this--if the tables were turned and Sanders had the number of pledged supers that Clinton has and she had his numbers, he would be crushing her.

When Jake Tapper of CNN asked Debbie Wasserman Schultz, "What do you tell voters who are new to the process who say this makes them feel like it's all rigged?" Schultz responded, "Unpledged delegates exist really to make sure that party leaders and elected officials don't have to be in a position where they are running against grass-roots activists."

Citizens, be afraid; be very afraid.

Madeleine Albright's and Gloria Steinem's Comments don't Help Hillary

Hillary Clinton's campaign for president has been losing steam even as contender Bernie Sanders has been picking up steam. There are many factors involved but two recent ones are statements made by her feminist supporters.

Take Madeleine Albright, for example. Albright was the first female Secretary of state under President Bill Clinton in December of 1996 and was confirmed the following January.

At a recent rally, Albright said, “We can tell our story of how we climbed the ladder, and a lot of you younger women think it’s done,” Ms. Albright said of the broader fight for women’s equality. “It’s not done. There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other!”

At the time, Hillary hooted in appreciation with the rest of the crowd, but must have been advised by her team later how wrong that was to do because she is now trying to walk it back. She later said, “I think what she was trying to do, what she’s done in every setting I’ve ever seen her in going back 20-plus years, was to remind young women, particularly, that you know, this struggle, which many of us have been part of, is not over.”

That's a logical explanation for another scenario but in this context and setting it just doesn't work. This was a presidential candidate rally. The credentials for the office of president don't include gender and inferring that women who don't vote for Hillary are going to hell is, well, just a bit creepy. The actual credentials are who is most qualified for the job; it's really not based on the difference between Hillary's and Bernie's physical characteristics. But to infer that it is is not resonating with young women voters.



Gloria Steinem's comments on the other hand on the Bill Maher show were, "When you're young, you're thinking, 'Where are the boys?' The boys are with Bernie," seeming to imply, as reported at www.nydailynews.com that "young women are supporting Democratic presidential wannabe Bernie Sanders for only one reason — to meet boys."

While that may be true in some cases, making a blanket statement like that trivializes young women and is likely to drive them away from Hillary.

The bottom line is that although Hillary is making her own problems and trying to suppress old ones, a campaign based on feminism is not helped by outspoken feminists adding fuel to the fire. If she wants to keep her base and her message she needs to find some way to rein them in.

The Obama Administration's Delimma Over Hillary's Emails

The long drawn-out story of the emails Clinton stored on her personal server is looking more and more like a soap opera. And it's going to get worse for her before it gets better. First there were so many initial lies (which for the most part the complicit media glosses over). I didn't want to carry more than one device. I didn't store any classified emails.

The problem with that last one is that according to the Washington Examiner, "They are now at over 1,200 classified emails." And folks, they're not done yet. Once they are done examining the emails the FBI will interview her and present their case to the Justice Department.

What will Lynch Do?

Now comes the rub. There is already enough overwhelming evidence that a criminal indictment is a very real possibility. But will the administration let that happen or will they try to shield her until after the election?

Attorney General Loretta Lynch is the individual that will have to level charges and order the indictment. She was appointed by, and is presumably advised by, President Obama. This puts the administration between a rock and a hard place.



On the one hand, the administration is keen on keeping the White House in the Democrat camp. It's Hillary or nobody. Bernie would have a hard time competing with any of the potential Republican possibles. If an indictment doesn't happen or is delayed, three things are likely to occur. First, it will be obvious to the voting public that political chicanery is afoot.

Secondly, The FBI and others in the intelligence community will suffer a credibility loss and will be much less cooperative with this administration going forward. Finally, a precedent will have been set and it will in the future it will be much harder to press charges on any federal employee of negligently handling classified information.

In the end the question is, will the Justice Department actually serve up a dose of justice or will we be seen in the eyes of the world as just another banana republic?

Obama's Lack of Executive Experience Showing

The fact that both Hillary and Sarah Palin pointed out, and quite correctly, that Barak seriously lacked executive experience was lost on his many disciples. But now, as his swept-under-the-carpet pastor would say, "Obama's chickens have come home to roost!"

Rest assured that this assertion is not made lightly. Barak Obama has come to office as possibly the least qualified candidate in the history of the nation. Not only that, but he still sees the world through the rose-colored eyeglasses of academia.

This is not to say that he can't mature in the ways of the world and the office, but even Joltin' Joe Biden said this is not an on-the-job-training kind of job. There's simply too much power potential involved.

Consider:

• Delivering that pathetic speech to the Iranian people. This is not realistic "reaching out;" what this boils down to is people from that culture seeing a weak and inept leader.

• After condemning President Bush for employing signing statements as an abuse of power, and promising to exercise more restraint when using them he is doing just that himself. His campaign said he would not issue “signing statements that undermine the legislative intent.” But his latest one is used to bypass whistle-blower protections for executive branch officials who give certain information to Congress. That's paranoid behavior and a lack of transparency. Even executive branch officials are civil servants, a fact lost on today's elite class of professional politicians.

• He now laments the fact that he's in a "Washington bubble" and out of contact with the common folk. Mr. Obama, as the highest executive in the land, you don't have time for that; you must use other methods to keep your hand on pulse of the nation. You're not a community organizer any more - deal with it; Get Organized.
  

Yes, I am being critical. I understand that there is a steep learning curve. But I deplore what the president is doing to our country. I'm afraid of the amount of damage he will have done before he matures in office and understands the world as it is. And you should be afraid as well.

Hillary Refuses to Concede

Certainly, Hillary Clinton refuses to concede that Obama has whupped her soundly. The question is, why? Well, there are several likely explanations; whichever one/ones you like are fair game. Let's look at a few...

• Dick Morris (who knows her and hubby Bill well), hints that she might be looking at a long term goal, knowing that the current race is lost. If Obama wins, he will be incumbent in 2012. Incumbent presidents are hard to beat. If she "helps" McCain, she increases her odds in the future.
• Hillary's campaign has borrowed a lot of cash from herself recently to keep her campaign afloat. Obama is planning to announce victory after the next round of primaries later this month. This gives Clinton a widow of opportunity to fund-raise to repay herself; whether she chooses to stay in the race or not. Being married to the master fund-raiser of the universe has its perks.
• She has an out-of-control ego. Perhaps she just feels that throwing in the towel isn't an option. I don't say this as an insult - this trait is common among high-scoring athletes as well as CEO's and government types. That's why they get results.
  

The bottom line is that the looming chaos in the Democrat political machine could be their un-doing. While John McCain is busy campaigning for the top job, the Democrats are ripping their own flesh with gusto.

Even seemingly-normal citizens are threatening to riot in Denver. And these are folks that want to get out of the war in Iraq because they don't agree with violence. Uh-oh, can you say Democrat-political-convention-conscientious-objector?

Obviously, many fed up liberal party loyalists don't get it either...

Clinton Campaign Juggles North Carolina, Indiana

It's all nail-biting for Hillary Clinton in North Carolina today. Her staff is feeling pinched by their own prediction of a 15 point defeat there in favor of Obama.

Her one spot of optimism is the Indiana primary. There are 72 delegates up for grabs in the Hoosier state and staffers feel optimistically that she can take roll over Obama there by a full 10 points.

Currently, Clinton owns 1,586 delegates and Obama has 1,719 in his camp. The magic number needed to win is 2,025. This turns up the heat on the super delegates, some of whom are in a sweat, knowing that their political future might depend on which way they sway.

It's likely that Rush Limbaugh's CHAOS operatives will give her a boost, as will her own revelation to George Stephanopoulos, speaking of Rush, "He's always had a crush on me." Talk about trying to woo conservatives!

Randi Rhodes Flames Out, Political Correctness Prevails

Air America talk show host Randi Rhodes has been suspended by chair Charlie Kireker over some questionable comments she made about presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and prior sidekick Geraldine Ferraro. What was the word? Well, it starts with "wh" and rhymes with "door". Use your imagination.

Did she use good judgment? Probably not. Should she be suspended? Absolutely not. This has nothing to do with her but everything to do with Air America's C.Y.A. She said it in a comedy club, for crying out loud.

If you go into a comedy club, you know what you're getting into. If you listen to Air America, you know what you're getting into. Mr. Kireker, you should be ashamed of yourself. But I guess you'll be getting your bonus. Wait, selling out for money would make you a, oh wait, let's not go there.

This is part of what is wrong with our current value system and our obsession with the disease of political correctness. If we're going to be serious about it, why are people still defending Pastor Wright after what he said in church, in front of children?

Why are rappers allowed to profit by using the "N" word and advocating killing cops? There's nothing correct about political correctness. It's just that simple.

Obama Taps Gore for Cabinet Post

As Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to slug it out for the Democrat party's Commander in Chief nominee, neither seems able to lock it down. New strategies are called for and Obama's idea of thinking out of the box is announcing that he will put Al Gore on his cabinet as global warming czar.

"I would," Obama said. "Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues but climate change is real."

But is this really a good idea? On the one hand, the whole global warming thing is still murky business - nobody has proven it conclusively one way or the other. But by making this announcement, Obama is giving it credibility. And in so doing, he captures the votes of all those who embrace the doomsday scenario.

Of course, the gamble is that it may turn many voters away. Gore has become something of a lunatic at times since his stint as Clinton's co-pilot. I'm not sure he would be the right person to have the ear of the president. Shades of Rasputin. What's next, Michael Moore?

Clinton and Obama Mine Buckets of Money

The interesting thing on the Democrat side of the presidential primaries, other than the infighting, is the amount of money being raised for this incredibly tight race. Hillary Clinton soaked up $35 million in February alone while Barak Obama trumped her with his own $55 million - a record.

Where is this bonanza coming from? MoveOn.org, for one. Trial Lawyers are another group that has a vested interest in seeing the Democrat Socialist agenda succeed. And of course, we can't forget about all the Hollywood crowd.

The labor unions are also bedding down with both candidates, but that's just to be expected. There was a time when labor unions really did serve an important purpose in this country, but in most cases it's pure nostalgia (and big business) now.

Last year I spent some time at a Lyondell refinery and it was a very eye-opening experience. There was a very real emotional and political wall between management and the workers but it was all very surreal. It was literally the only place I have ever been where workers without college degrees pulled down 100K per year and still moaned about how "the man is keeping me down." The word crybabies comes to mind.

But back to campaign finance. How are things faring on the Republican side? Senator McCain is the only man left standing on this side of the fence which gives him a decided advantage at this point.

The focus of his fund gathering can be for the general election, not the nomination. Also, unlike Obama and Hillary, he doesn't have to spend gobs of money courting superdelegates.

Clinton Tries to Dodge the Bullet - From the Media, not Bosnian Snipers

The whopper of all whoppers! When Hillary claimed a major role in the Irish peace talks and that was debunked, at least we could always say, "Wellllllll, perhaps she had Bill's ear, and that's what she really meant."

But I don't really believe that anyone dodging bullets under sniper fire could mistake that from reality. Conversely, interpreting a greeting ceremony on the tarmac as "running with our heads down" is just psychotic. "Psst, Hilly, in the spirit of your proposed Woodstock museum, don't take the bad acid!"

Even Sinbad, who accompanied her on this USO trip, testifies that her statement is just wacko. And yes, at least Sinbad admits he's a professional comedian and performer.

Well, it seems there are three possible explanations for Hillary's tenuous grasp of simple facts. One - she's simply delusional. This may be true seeing as how she stood by her man as he sought to be the poster boy for Viagra.

Two - she'll say anything to make it look like she has real experience and can keep cool under "fire". After all, who do you trust to answer that phone at 3 AM while your innocent child sleeps? I'll take Sinbad over Clinton.

Three - She's just a professional politician, ready to do anything to pander to anyone who'll sell their vote. (She does mimic a fairly good southern accent when she entertains the crowd in black churches.) I hope she's still got Bill's Rolodex; I'll bet it's packed with Chinese phone numbers. We've still got some missile secrets up for sale, don't we?

Bad Blood between Clinton, Richardson

It was hardly a surprise when Bill Richardson made such a big production about endorsing Barak Obama. It was becoming increasingly obvious that while the two remaining viable Democrat candidates were scratching and clawing for the remaining delegates in the Democratic primaries, John McCain, the Republican candidate has been busy doing the work of actually running for the presidency.

Richardson said as much on Fox News yesterday. I paraphrase, "While Obama and Clinton are busy trying to win the nomination, McCain is going international. This has to stop."

He has a point. McCain has been using the time remaining before the conventions to project the image of being the president - as a foregone conclusion. Mana from heaven. But that's the way it played out.

But what's been going on in the background? Richardson said on NBC Nightly News that when he broke the news to Hillary via a phone call, the discussion about his decision to endorse Barack Obama was "heated" and "tough". One can well imagine. Senator Clinton is well known for her shrillness and sense of entitlement. Who can forget, "We are the President!"

Richardson, for the moment, is the party's most visible champion for party unification; and he's taken his stand. Of course, it would have been too dangerous to trot out a has-been like John Kerry.

But Richardson is different. He's up and coming, he seems to have no skeletons in the closet, and... well, he's Hispanic. Well, half Hispanic, but let's not quibble. This is just a long range speculation of course, but it would be interesting to see if a successful Obama puts him on the ticket. After all, the two would represent the very two groups of constituents the Dems need to spark with just now - Hispanics and Blacks.